Rehearsing your speech is not just a matter of reading your script over and over. It's a process that involves planning, practicing, and polishing your delivery, content, and style. In this article, you'll learn how to rehearse your speech effectively and confidently using a simple framework.
Before you start rehearsing, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve with your speech. What is your main message? Who is your audience? How do you want them to feel and act after listening to you? Write down your goals and use them as a guide for your rehearsal. For example, you might want to inform, persuade, inspire, entertain, or educate your audience.
I write out my speeches and then rehearse them seven times. That is a very specific number, but it is the one that works best for me. By the second time through, I am revising as I read it aloud. I continue that process through the third and fourth time. By the fifth, I have the rhythm and know how the speech flows. The last two rehearsals are to perfect the inflection, tone, emphasis, and pauses throughout. Throughout these seven read-aloud rehearsals, I am usually alone. I feel grateful when I can get an audience member from my family or colleagues to listen to one rehearsal.
Language follows intention. When your intention is clear, for example “to inspire”, your speech and body language will naturally adjust to achieve that goal.
There are different ways to rehearse your speech, depending on your preference, time, and resources. You can rehearse alone or with a partner, using a mirror, a recorder, a camera, or a feedback tool. You can also rehearse in different settings, such as your home, your office, or the actual venue. The key is to choose a method that helps you improve your delivery, content, and style, and that makes you feel comfortable and confident.
I never start with a scripted speech. I make an outline and as I practice, the right wording comes to me. The more I practice, the fewer words I need on my outline so that it is just 2-3 word bullet points.
I find it's best to first write your speech and time yourself giving it. Make sure it fits within your desired time limit. Once you feel that you have a handle on the length of your speech, record yourself. Set up a phone (it doesn't need to be the most flattering angle). Watch it over and over, criticize yourself, figure out where you can be better. Don't get discouraged, realize that the more you criticize yourself now, the smoother your presentation will go later.
Rehearsing your speech requires time and commitment. You can't expect to master your speech in one or two sessions. You need to plan ahead and schedule your sessions in advance, giving yourself enough time to practice and refine your speech. A good rule of thumb is to rehearse your speech at least three times: once for content, once for delivery, and once for style.
Timing is everything. If you are only given 5 minutes and your speech reaches 10, you will upset the hosts. Stay in your lane. Practice, cut our lines that are unnecessary. Reduce your speech until it is as potent as you want it to be. Make your point, don't ramble. Shorter is better, bite your tongue when you feel you have made your point.
The first time you rehearse your speech, focus on your content. Make sure your speech has a clear structure, a strong opening and closing, and relevant and engaging points. Check your facts, figures, and sources, and avoid any errors or inconsistencies. Use simple and clear language, and avoid jargon, slang, or filler words. If your speech is too long or too short, adjust your content accordingly.
Review and edit your speech. Read it out loud, if it feels awkward now, it'll feel awkward later. Repeating words is an issue I run into a lot. You can ask Chat GPT to "rewrite" your speech to see a different wording pattern. You can use a thesaurus to find different words that mean the same thing.
The second time you rehearse your speech, focus on your delivery. Pay attention to your voice, body language, eye contact, and gestures. Use your voice to convey emotion, emphasis, and variety, and avoid monotone, mumbling, or stuttering. Use your body language to express confidence, openness, and enthusiasm, and avoid fidgeting, slouching, or crossing your arms. Use eye contact to connect with your audience, and avoid looking at your notes, the floor, or the ceiling. Use gestures to reinforce your points, and avoid overdoing them or distracting from your message.
As a rule of thumb: move less. 99% of your assertiveness will disappear the moment your body is out of control. Erratic movement of your feet and hands send a signal to your brain that says “we’re in trouble” and reinforces nervousness. Instead, have your feet well planted on the floor and move slowly. This will give your nervous system time to compute everything that is happening around you while also being able to focus attention on your words. The same applies to your eyes. Keep them moving gently across the audience and avoid erratic eye movement. Where your eyes go, your attention goes. So keep them on your audience and they will keep theirs on you.
Record yourself. It may feel incredibly awkward to watch a video of yourself giving a prepared speech, but this will let you target your blind spots. When reviewing your footage you may notice you sway too much, say um too much, or may have awkward body language. You can ask someone you trust to review the footage and give appropriate constructive feedback.
The third time you rehearse your speech, focus on your style. Add some flair and personality to your speech, and make it memorable and unique. Use stories, anecdotes, quotes, humor, or rhetorical devices to illustrate your points and engage your audience. Use pauses, transitions, and signposts to create flow and clarity in your speech. Use tone, pitch, and volume to create contrast and interest in your speech.
After each rehearsal session, evaluate your performance and identify your strengths and weaknesses. You can use a checklist, a rubric, a feedback form, or a self-assessment tool to rate yourself on different aspects of your speech. You can also ask for feedback from a friend, a colleague, a coach, or a mentor, and listen to their suggestions and criticisms. Use your evaluation and feedback to improve your speech and address any issues or challenges.
Rehearsing your speech is a crucial step in preparing for your presentation. It helps you improve your delivery, content, and style, and boosts your confidence and credibility. By following this framework, you can rehearse your speech effectively and confidently, and deliver a speech that meets your goals and impresses your audience.
Ask someone your trust to review footage of your performance. Targeting blind spots is important, it's usually easier for someone else to spot them than you can. Don't take it personally! Learning is a valuable way to grow in your craft.